Grant reveals contract talks with Swede are ongoing

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Birmingham coach Peter Grant is hoping Newcastle target Sebastian Larsson will sign a new contract and stay at the club.

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The 25-year-old versatile midfielder's current deal is set to expire in the summer and the Magpies are set to swoop for the Sweden international, as revealed by Skysports.com.

Larsson has been in impressive form for the Blues so far this term and has made 20 appearances in the Premier League.

Grant is hoping he will remain at St Andrews and revealed that talks are ongoing regarding a new contract.

"The manager (Alex McLeish) has spoken to Seb's agent (about a new contract) and it's ongoing," he said.

"I think Seb would obviously be keen to stay - and the club are looking for him to stay also.

"But it's down to him and his agent who is speaking to the club at the moment. That's as far as it's gone.

"We're not kidding ourselves on. We just hope that Seb wants to stay with us.

"I'm sure that's the case and I think he's proved that with his performances this season.

"But, if he decides to move elsewhere, you can't do anything about it. That's the situation with the Bosman ruling now.

"Sometimes the big players have the opportunity and the agents can make that happen."

Cup clash

Birmingham go to Millwall for what should be a feisty FA Cup third round tie on Saturday, but Grant admits the priority this term is top-flight survival.

He added: "The way things are at the moment, there are 10 of us down there all looking at every result.

"You keep getting disappointed when one of the top teams loses to one of the lower teams because those points are going against yourselves.

"The Premier League is unforgiving at this moment in time. There are so many bizarre results. We can only look at ourselves and concern ourselves about ourselves.

"When you are in that bottom three, there is always a bit of pressure comes on. You know you've got the game in hand but you'd rather have the points in the bag.

"That is why it was a fantastic result for us (a 2-1 win) at Blackpool in the week."